House Passes Stopgap To Fund Government

The House voted today to pass the continuing resolution and fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year.  This makes a shutdown later this month doubtful. 

The resolution sets the top line overall rate of spending at $982 billion, down from $1.043 trillion the previous fiscal year.  The vote on the CR passed 267-151 with mostly Republican votes, although once it became clear the bill would pass 53 Democrats decided to join the majority.

"Today, the House has taken the first step towards assuring the American people that the federal government will stay open, which President Obama agrees should be our shared goal," House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said after the vote. "This legislation is straightforward and reasonable, protecting national defense and helping our veterans while maintaining the president's sequester, which Republicans continue to support replacing because there are better ways to cut spending."

The vote was moved up 24 hours because of a snowstorm forecast to strike the Washington metro area today, although the region has mostly dodged the brunt of the blizzard.